A Look Back at the Troubled Life of Comedian Totie Fields: Five Decades After Her Tragic Death

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In the 1960s and 1970s, comedian Totie Fields was one of the most popular and first female comedians. Unfortunately, her mix of diabetes and plastic surgery led to her untimely and tragic death at only 48 years old. This is her story.

A Closer Look

Totie Fields was born in Hartford Connecticut as Sophie Feldman on May 7, 1927. She later utilized her nickname "Totie," which was how she said "Sophie" as a child. Her surname was also changed to suit the world of entertainment.

At the mere age of 4, Fields began her career in show business, performing on local radio. By the time she turned 13, the young comedian had toured the Borscht Belt. From the age of 20, Fields sang and performed stand-up comedy performances at Boston clubs.

Fields married George Johnson (with whom she eventually had two daughters) and then relocated to New York, where she appeared in nightclubs such as the Copacabana. That's when TV variety show king Ed Sullivan took notice and granted her a big break on his show on landmark series.

By the 1970s, Fields became a staple performer in Las Vegas and had made countless TV talk show appearances on programs like The Mike Douglas Show and The Merv Griffin Show.

Unhappy Ending

In the last few years of her life, Fields, a diabetic, opted to have plastic surgery on her face. Around this time, she began to experience several health challenges, including a leg amputation.

On August 2, 1978, Totie Fields died of a pulmonary embolism in Las Vegas.